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NEWS | July 13, 2016

The Army’s Active Component to Reserve Component Program makes it possible.

By Jamal B. Beck OCAR

It’s hard to believe that the U.S. Army almost lost its current non-commissioned officer of the year after a stellar start to a military career.

Sergeant First Class Andrew Fink, currently a healthcare specialist with the Army Reserve’s 409th Area Support Medical Company, served as an Army Ranger combat medic on active duty prior to making the decision to transition to a civilian career.

He would’ve missed the camaraderie and professionalism the active component instilled in him, and the Army would have continued the mission without the extensive skills, experience, and leadership of an exceptional Soldier.

Fortunately, the Army’s Active Component to Reserve Component (AC2RC) program allowed Fink to continue serving our Nation with the most formidable ground combat force on earth —strengthening the force through the retention of the leadership, dedication, and expertise Fink developed, tested, and perfected through deployments, exercises, and education.

“I lost something when I left active duty, and the Army Reserve enabled me to be a Soldier for Life and regain a sense of purpose and pride that civilian life alone could not do,” said Fink. “I separated from active duty after completing my four-year stint in a Ranger regiment, then transitioned to the Army Reserve through the AC2RC program to finish my bachelor’s degree. I love being a part of the Army; that’s why I am an Active Guard and Reserve Soldier.”

The Army is currently legislated to draw down in size from 490,000 to an end-strength of 450,000 Soldiers by the end of FY18 to balance readiness and the needs of a smaller force.

Maintaining readiness, managing talent, and keeping the Army strong in the face of sequestration may challenge units and their leadership to do more with less.

As more and more highly skilled Soldiers separate from the Army, their well-honed technical skills, leadership expertise, and commitment to duty leave with them. This departure of military expertise could leave the Army, and the Nation, devoid of the invaluable skills and experiences needed to continually assure our allies and deter or defeat adversaries.

The Army’s Active Component to Reserve Component program ensures that the Army maintains appropriate levels of qualified active duty Soldiers by offering them the opportunity to continue service as Citizen Soldiers in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Active duty Soldiers transitioning to the reserve compo- nent may keep their families grounded in their local communities, remain an integral part of the Army, and leverage their skills to acquire meaningful private sector employment.

These Soldiers may also continue to receive many of the benefits earned while serving on active duty!

The U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Bureau formed the Reserve Component Transition (RCT) Branch to provide training, policy management, manning and oversight of the Reserve Component Career Counselors (RCCCs) and Silver Siege Officers (SSO).

More than 145 RCCC counselors and 16 SSOs are stationed at over 45 installations worldwide to counsel eligible enlisted Soldiers and officers about opportunities for continued service in the Guard or Reserve.

RCCCs provide information and counsel through “Continuum of Service” briefs. These briefs offer information for continued military service and current Army Reserve and Army National Guard incentives, stabilization policies, programs, and opportunities avail- able to Soldiers transitioning from active duty.

Soldiers also receive counseling to help transition their experience into a new or matching career field, presenting opportunities to continue to provide value to the reserve components, civilian employers, and the Total Army.

“Our counselors essentially serve the needs and desires of the separating Soldier,” said Major Kyle Key, Deputy Chief of the Reserve Component Transition Branch. “We are component neutral and present the latest information so they can make informed decisions.

We also operate a help desk Monday through Friday at the RCT, providing critical policy as well as information technology support to counselors worldwide.”The tangible and intangible costs of losing experienced Soldiers and their unique skills sets are high.

In FY15 alone, the RCT helped transfer 10,837 service members to the reserve components, saving more than $900 million that may have otherwise been invested in developing and training initial entry Soldiers, according to Key.

“When newly trained Soldiers get to their units, it takes years to develop the knowledge, expertise and battle tested skills that Soldiers transitioning from active duty can provide,” said Key. “It is one of the most effective accessioning programs in the Total Army and addresses the need for mid-grade NCOs and junior officers in both the Guard and Reserve.”